Aside from cooks and kitchen helpers, another job that is in-demand in Taiwan are cleaners or housekeepers. They are usually hired by hotels, dormitories, and other accommodation facilities. Some are also recruited by factories, offices, hospitals, clinics, and other establishments.
If you are interested to apply as a cleaner or housekeeper in this country, read on to know the qualifications, requirements, and steps involved.
How to Apply as a Cleaner or Housekeeper in Taiwan
Like most other skilled jobs, cleaning and housekeeping requires specific qualifications and requirements. Here is an overview of the job description, eligibility requirements, documentary requirements, and steps involved when applying as a cleaner or housekeeper in this country.
Job Description
The roles and responsibilities may vary slightly depending on the workplace, although here are some tasks that are typically assigned to cleaners or housekeepers:
- Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors;
- Changing sheets, curtains, and linen regularly;
- Dusting counters, drawers, and other furniture;
- Cleaning bathrooms and replenishing supplies such as soap, shampoo, towels, etc.;
- Removing garbage and waste; and
- Keeping rooms neat and organized.
Salary and Benefits
Likewise, the salary of cleaners or housekeepers may also differ depending on the workplace and their assigned tasks. Based on a quick online search, there’s a dormitory offering a monthly salary of TWD 27,479 plus overtime pay to dormitory cleaners. There’s also a factory offering TWD 28,590 per month to experienced housekeepers.
Other than the monthly salary, cleaners are also entitled to other benefits such as overtime pay, paid leave, bonuses, and health insurance. Some companies also provide housing allowance (or accommodations), food allowance, transportation allowance, and more.
Qualifications
Generally, those who are applying as cleaners or housekeepers are expected to meet the following criteria:
- Age 20 to 40 years old;
- At least high school or vocational graduate;
- Physically fit and hardworking; and
- With previous experience as a cleaner or housekeeper;
That being said, there are some companies with very specific qualifications. For instance, there are companies that prefer female housekeepers, while others prefer male cleaners. Some companies also require particular physical characteristics, such as: at least 165 cm (height requirement); 58 kg – 80 kg (weight requirement); good vision; not color blind; not left-handed; and no tattoos.
Requirements
With regard to documentary requirements, applicants are advised to prepare these papers in advance:
- Valid Passport;
- School Diploma (High School and/or College);
- UMID or SSS ID;
- TIN Number or TIN ID;
- Pag-IBIG Number;
- Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certificate;
- Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) Certificate; and
- Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) E-Registration;
Additionally, some employers and recruitment agencies ask for the following documents as well:
- Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); and
- Marriage Certificate issued by PSA (if married).
Procedure
When seeking a job as a cleaner or housekeeper in Taiwan, here are some steps that applicants typically go through: preparing your CV, preparing your documents, finding a job and recruitment agency, attending job interviews, and getting a work permit/work visa.
Preparing Your CV
Before anything else, make sure that your resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) is polished and up to date. It doesn’t have to be long or elaborate; simply feature your educational background, seminars/training attended, skills, and work history. Your resume is the first thing that recruitment agencies and prospective employers will see, so make it clear and presentable!
Preparing Your Documents
Even before you apply for the job, it’s a good idea to prepare some important documents. Some of these papers take time to process (e.g. passport, school records, PSA certificates). If you already have them, you’ll be ready for deployment once you get hired!
Finding a Job and Recruitment Agency
You will find job announcements for cleaners and housekeepers online, specifically on the official websites and social media channels of recruitment agencies. Of course, make sure that the agency you are dealing with is a legitimate one; watch out for fake advertisements and illegal recruiters who are only out to scam unsuspecting applicants!
If possible, you can also visit the recruitment agency’s office (make sure that the address is correct and verified) and submit your resume personally. This way, you can also ask them for further instructions regarding the hiring and interview process.
Attending Job Interviews
Speaking of interviews, these are necessary in the job application process. It enables employers to assess whether or not applicants are a good fit for the job; similarly, it provides you with the opportunity to know more about the vacancy, along with the salary and benefits involved.
Before attending the interview, see to it that you are well prepared; dress properly, practice possible answers, and bring extra copies of your resume and documents, in case they’re needed. During the interview, stay focused and answer each question honestly, clearly, and politely.
In the event that you are accepted, you will be asked to sign an employment contract. Take time to read this document; ask questions and make clarifications before you sign it. Later, the signed contract will be processed at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan.
Getting a Work Permit and Visa
In Taiwan, the employer will apply for a work permit at the Ministry of Labor (MOL) on your behalf. As soon as this is approved, you will be asked to apply for a work visa at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), which is based in Manila.
With your work permit and visa, you can enter Taiwan legally as a foreign worker. After your arrival, you and your employer will then focus on getting your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days at a local National Immigration Agency (NIA) service center. Notably, the ARC shall serve as your legal identification while residing and working in the country.
Additional Reminders
To help ensure a successful job application and stay in Taiwan, here are some tips and reminders to keep in mind:
- Transact only with legitimate agencies. There are many unscrupulous groups and individuals out there who prey on overseas job applicants. Be vigilant and make sure that you are dealing with legitimate agencies, to avoid becoming a victim of scams, or worse… human trafficking!
- Develop good work ethics. Hard work, punctuality, politeness — these are traits that can go a long way, regardless of your job position or where you work. Strive to develop these positive traits during your stay abroad.
- Learn about the local culture. Since you will be working in Taiwan for quite a while, learning about the local culture is a must. We also recommend learning some basic Mandarin. This way, you can better communicate and adapt to living in the country.
If you are interested in applying for a job in Taiwan as a cleaner, we hope that the above guide has been helpful! Meanwhile, if you are an experienced caregiver and you’d like to work in a nursing home or for a private employer, here’s a guide on applying for a caregiver job in Taiwan.